Hebburn’s £12.8m hub is set to be a splash hit

A NEW £12.8m regeneration scheme is making a big splash in Hebburn town centre.

The Hebburn community hub is on schedule and due to be completed in late spring next year.

The scheme moved one step closer this week with the creation of spaces for two planned swimming pools.

Labour Party members received a briefing on the scheme from council officers during a meeting at the Iona Club, Hebburn, on Tuesday.

Coun Eddie McAtominey, chairman of Hebburn Regeneration Board, and one of the leaders of the town centre revamp project, said: “The digging took place this week for the pools and the scheme is right on schedule to open next year.

“The plans are really taking shape and local people can now see how extensive the Hebburn hub is going to be.

“Work has been completed in readiness for the steel cladding of the building and the hub is looking good.”

Coun McAtominey added that the hub will incorporate a multi-use games area for a variety of outdoor sports.

The hub scheme was launched after council bids to attract a major supermarket to Hebburn town centre failed.

Contractors Willmott Dixon Construction are creating the hub, which will eventually incorporate a library, a six-lane swimming pool, plus a learner pool, a fitness suite, sports hall, dance studio, a learning complex and cafe, a customer service centre and more.

Coun John Anglin, South Tyneside Council’s lead member for regeneration and economy, said: “The hub project is on schedule and progress is continuing.

“Two thirds of the building is now watertight and we’ve finished excavating the pool tanks.

“The lift shafts and floors are complete.

“Work will be starting on the external cladding next, so residents will be able to see the building really start to take shape.”